Safety

Anywhere you go, the best defense against crime is awareness and preparation.

Georgia State University Crime Prevention offers a variety of programs to students, staff and faculty. To learn more about participating in any of these programs, contact the Crime Prevention office at (404) 413-3213.

DUI/Alcohol Awareness

Reviews the current Georgia statutes for underage possession of alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, and illegal blood alcohol concentrations. The program also provides information about the levels of impairment that correlate to the amount of alcohol consumed. It discusses the liability and dangers involved in the consumption of alcohol, so that students can make well-informed decisions.

Fight to Flight

Provides students with techniques to prevent and escape from an attack against their person. The goal of the program is to enable a student to maintain a level of alertness in order to avoid an attack. The program seeks to:

• Identify methods of prevention and precaution against an attack.
• Identify and demonstrate passive and combative resistance against an attack.
• Identify the steps to take after an attack/sexual assault.

Office Safety

Illustrates common practices that may be used to make employee offices safe and secure. The program, open to students, staff and faculty, covers basic safety tips and concerns specific to office workers.

Operation I.D.

Gives students, staff and faculty the opportunity to help protect against theft by engraving identification on their personal and campus valuables. Call the Crime Prevention office at (404) 413-3213 to check out an engraver.

Premise Survey

Any university department or organization may request a premise survey from the Georgia State University Police Crime Prevention Unit. These surveys provide information concerning the crime history of the facility, crime risk, and suggestions to eliminate or reduce the risk of crime.

Safety Escort Service

This service is offered upon request from approximately 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. Safety escorts are provided to the parking decks, public and private parking lots, bus stops and train stations near campus. Take advantage of this service by calling (404) 413-2100 and requesting a safety escort when you feel unsafe around campus.  Read one student's testimonial about her experience with this service.

Campus Safety

Heightens Georgia State University community awareness of crimes that may occur in an urban environment. Program discussion includes alerting participants on how to be aware of their surroundings and to avoid confrontations such as robbery, car-jacking, panhandling, and muggings. Recommended precautions include staying alert; trusting your instincts; sticking to well-lit and well-traveled streets; avoiding shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots and alleys; locking car doors; and checking both inside and outside a car before getting in.

Vehicle Assists

Cadets operate a service truck to aid stranded motorists with dead batteries, keys locked in car, flat tires and other minor vehicular problems. Access this service by calling (404) 413-2100.

Village/Lofts Safety Program

Alerts Campus Housing residents of crimes that may take place in and around residential halls, as well as how to prevent such incidents. Residents are informed of precautions to take while living in an environment such as the University Village/University Lofts. This program is offered to each floor of the Village and Lofts, to encourage roommates to develop a team approach toward making their living arrangements as safe and secure as possible. Recommended precautions include locking bedroom doors when away, not allowing someone to follow you inside access gates or buildings; never leaving purses, wallets, money or valuables in plain view; and reporting any suspicious activities or soliciting to the University Police.

Workplace Violence

Teaches participants to identify workplace violence. The program demonstrates techniques to avoid violence in the workplace and defenses against workplace violence.

As a university located in the heart of a large city, Georgia State is not alone in efforts to prevent and combat crime. The downtown area boasts several agencies assigned to provide security, including the Atlanta Police Department, the Fulton County Sheriff's Department, the Capital Police, MARTA Police and the Ambassador Force, men and women who serve as extra "eyes and ears" of the central Business District. Georgia State University Police have strong working partnerships with these agencies.  Here are some quick facts about the Georgia State University Police Department:

• Largest campus police department in Georgia
• Average response time less than two minutes
• Utilizes bicycle patrol across campus for rapid response and ongoing presence
• Actively enforces pedestrian safety
• Responds to calls from the 49 emergency call boxes located across the campus
• Offers safety escorts and vehicle assistance to campus community
• Maintains video surveillance of several areas of campus
• Offers self-defense training free of charge
• Offers crime prevention programs which provide brochures, presentations, video notices and premise surveys to boost crime awareness on campus and in the university community